Waiver Denied For Club

Pompano Board: Site Too Close To Homes

POMPANO BEACH — Robert Vanucchi wanted to open an upscale adult nightclub on South Andrews Avenue, but he needed a waiver from the city because his location was too close to homes.

He didn't receive it.

The Zoning Board of Appeals last week rejected Vanucchi's request to open an adult club at 351 S. Andrews Ave.

Vanucchi, president of 351 Entertainment Corp., a Lauderhill firm, asked the board to grant him a variance to the city ordinance requiring adult businesses to be at least 2,000 feet from neighborhoods.

The property _ the site of the Happy Days Restaurant _ is just west of Interstate 95, about 1,300 feet from John Knox Village, a retirement community. Just north of John Knox is Avondale, a low- to medium-income neighborhood with multifamily rental units.

Dan Yaffe, the appeals board chairman, said Vanucchi said his club deserved a variance because he had entered into an agreement to use the property before February 1996, when Pompano Beach cracked down on adult businesses. The commission adopted a law restricting adult businesses, such as bookstores and nightclubs featuring female dancers, from opening within 2,000 feet of a church, school or residential neighborhood.

``They didn't bring the contract,'' Yaffe said. ``They couldn't even tell me the date or the year of the contract. It didn't appear they could prove that part of their claim.''

Vanucchi could not be reached for comment. His home number is unlisted. There is no telephone number listed for 351 Entertainment Corp. His attorney, Charlotte Burrie of Pompano Beach, also could not be reached.

Robin Bird, a Pompano Beach city planner, said the nightclub's proponents also said that I-95 would serve as a buffer between it and the residential neighborhoods, which are east of I-95. The club property is west of I-95.

Southwest Third Street, however, crosses that section of the highway.

``The buffer that they're claiming is almost non-existent,'' Bird said.

The board voted 5-0 to reject the variance request. Vanucchi can request another hearing before the board. Board decisions can also be appealed in court.

Yaffe said the issue wasn't adult entertainment.

``Everybody has a right to operate a business where it is properly zoned,'' he said. ``It is our job to apply the laws as they are written. We didn't judge the nature of their business.''

Vanucchi sought the variance at a time when Pompano Beach is trying to shut down adult nightclubs that are operating illegally.

A year ago, Pompano Beach went to court to shut down Cigars Or Us, a business that police said offered sex to male customers along with cigars.

In March, Pompano Beach police raided six strip bars and arrested 23 dancers on charges including lewdness and prostitution.